How early sensory processing affects motor development in preterm children
Official title: Predictive ability of early somatosensory processing in preterm children on later motor development
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11084545 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the way kids born early feel and process sensations can affect their ability to move and develop motor skills later on, and it aims to find ways to help these children get the support they need to grow stronger and more coordinated.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $436,321 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111546-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11084545 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children who were born preterm and may be experiencing mild to moderate motor delays.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who were not born preterm or do not exhibit any motor delays may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how early somatosensory processing in children born preterm can influence their later motor development. It focuses on identifying deficits in sensory processing that may lead to motor delays, even in the absence of major neuromuscular diagnoses. By developing reliable assessment methods for young children, the study aims to understand the relationship between sensory feedback and motor skill acquisition. The findings could help in creating early interventions to support motor development in this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved early interventions that enhance motor skills in preterm children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing sensory processing issues can lead to significant improvements in motor skills, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chu, Virginia Way Tong — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Chu, Virginia Way Tong
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.